I believe at some time or another we have all cried out “where are you God?” Most likely we were in a crisis, trying to make a decision, dealing with a death, a broken relationship, job loss or some other challenge that caused us to feel alone and helpless. During this pandemic we all feel out of control because we are. There are some things we can do to protect ourselves and others from Covid-19 and other illnesses but the fact remains, this is a silent killer, like so many other things in life so we wait and watch feeling helpless over what will happen next.

As human beings we want answers and we usually want them NOW!  We don’t like being uncomfortable in not knowing what is going to happen next. We may pray for answers but our own desires get wrapped up into our prayer request so being open to hearing from God may be a small window. We, more than likely, have already come to what we would do if we were God and how we would answer such a plea. If God doesn’t answer in the manner we think He should we start to question if He cares or worse, if He exists at all.

 

What if God has been there all along waiting to answer? What if He already did and you just missed it? What if He can’t answer until you listen to what you need to do on your end? We aren’t puppets, God gives us free will and sometimes in order for His plan to happen we need to do some stuff. That’s where it becomes crucial that we hear what He is telling us to do.

 

Perhaps you have never talked to God. Maybe you were under the belief that God only spoke to the people in the Bible and not to us common folk but then I expect He wouldn’t have had James write in Chapter 1:5
5 If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it.

 

So, you may ask, if God does want to answer us what is the secret to actually hearing Him speak then? Well I think that the answer is in the next verse where it says in James 1:6-8  6 But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; 7-8 and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.

 

I have spent the last 44 years on this faith journey to get to the point where I really believe that when I ask God to speak to me, what I hear is truly from Him. I have been writing down my conversations with God down for a long time and I finally put them into a meditation devotional book that came out at the same time as Covid-19 reared it’s ugly head.  I hadn’t asked God about Covid-19 but I did ask him why bad things happen to good people. Defining good people is a whole discussion for another time but what he said to me is that many times we make our own mess.

In addition to this pandemic we are also battling civil unrest. The whole nation has taken sides about who is right and who is wrong. Rather than learning to get along and support each other we are judging each other and treating each other poorly. Two wrongs don’t make anything right it just makes things twice as bad as it was before.

If this reading is helpful to you or at least gives you some food for thought then please sign up to get my Ebook on the 7 Steps to Knowing God’s plan and you will automatically start receiving 30 days of my Daily Meditations from my  book Speak to Me God I”m Listening-365 Daily Meditations for Those Who want to Hear God Answer Life’s Toughest Questions”

 

By Linda Larson Schlitz, Faucet of HOPE
 
IF GOD CAN DO ANYTHING WHY IS THERE EVIL IN THE WORLD?

Step 2
Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

CHALLENGE
If God can do anything why do bad things happen? Why is there evil in the world? Why can’t I overcome the things that make me and those around me so crazy (insanity)? The good news is that God gives us choices. The bad news is that God gives us choices. God made a commitment when He created us that He would give us free will to follow the steps he gave us in the 10 commandments (which inspired lots of other things like the 12 steps of AA) so that we could live happy fulfilling lives, loving others and being at peace. Mankind, unfortunately, makes other selfish choices that hurt others and ourselves. It is not God’s fault. He gives us “the power greater than ourselves” to make the world a better place. We have chosen to do our own thing. Even sickness, at times, has been a result of choices that we have made eating things we know cause harm. Am I ready to start today to follow God’s way instead of my own?

HOPE-Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

PRAYER
God I am sorry for blaming you for choices that I and others in the world have made. Help me to be one of those who sets a good example of the great things that can happen if we follow your principles and commandments in all of our life choices.

SPEAK TO ME GOD 
My Child, I have not abandoned you when you are struggling. I am here, but I put the world in motion with the intention for mankind to follow me and do what I have said will make the world a great place to be. Unfortunately you and the rest of mankind choose not to do that, so evil is evident all around. You pray for things to change and my Spirit nudges and moves to give people opportunities to change but like the evil people in the world who choose their selfish ways, you too my child, choose other ways than my ways. You don’t turn things over to me, you don’t let me have your life, your desires, your temptations. You go your own way. Being angry with me because others do the same does not serve you well. Call on me to give you the strength to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Be an example to others of the blessings that come when people truly deny their own will and follow my ways. I will be here to help because I love you.

RESPONSE
I am sorry Lord for blaming you because your creation has turned away from the “sanity” that you offer us when we follow you. Help me to live it so others can see the joy in the journey and the hope in trusting you. Amen

 

 

Please sign up for my      7 Steps to Knowing God’s Plan          and get my daily meditations  from my book “Speak to Me God I’m Listening-365 Daily Meditations for Those Who Want to Hear God Answer Life’s Toughest Questions”  sent to your inbox every day.

 

If you or your family are struggling and would like some help to become all God wants you to be please sign up for a  FREE Coaching Call on my Why Coaching Page.

 

Linda Larson Schlitz is an award winning counselor, author, speaker and life coach. Her mission is to help people figure out their God given purpose and then work with them to find ways to generate income doing what they love.